Best brand buys for breast cancer awareness

Wearing a pink ribbon pin is a great start in doing your part in spreading breast cancer awareness this month, but your normal everyday purchases can also support the cause. Frugalista Kendal Perez, marketing coordinator for Kinoli, Inc., site manager for a family of money-saving websites, shares the following list of brands that have joined the breast cancer fight.Wearing a pink ribbon pin is a great start in doing your part in spreading breast cancer awareness this month, but your normal everyday purchases can also support the cause. Frugalista Kendal Perez, marketing coordinator for Kinoli, Inc., site manager for a family of money-saving websites, shares the following list of brands that have joined the breast cancer fight.

Support the breast cancer cause

According to the American Cancer Society, over 225,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in 2012. Sadly, the organization also estimates that nearly 40,000 women may lose their fight with breast cancer this year. “October is an annual reminder [for many people] to stay informed and get involved, but for people who have been impacted by this devastating disease, breast cancer awareness is a daily reality,” says Perez, who shares her shopping and money-saving tips at HassleFreeSavings.com.”Though a number of companies support Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the following list of brands represent great opportunities to help out.”

JCPenney Salon is offering free haircuts and styles to all breast cancer survivors during the month of October. Additionally, $1 from each of the first 50,000 haircuts will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Purchase a bracelet from the Give Hope Collection and $10 will be donated to Living Beyond Breast Cancer. You can also purchase a Give Hope Tee for a $20 contribution to the education and support organization.

The popular party supply store supports Susan G. Komen for the Cure with their Running Ribbons Products. Fifteen percent of sales generated from cups, streamers, water bottles, coin purses and more will be donated. Plus, FreeShipping.org offers an exclusive coupon code for free shipping on orders of $49 or more, allowing you to avoid pesky delivery charges.

Showcase your style and support breast cancer research in three ways from Ann Taylor LOFT. Purchase a LOFT Cares Card for $25 and 90 percent of the value will go to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. You can also buy a necklace designed by Giuliana Rancic — a breast cancer survivor — and 25 percent of the cost will be donated. Finally, purchase any full-price item from LOFT’s Pink Collection and 25 percent will go to the cause.

That’s right, the manly men of the NFL support Breast Cancer Awareness Month through “A Crucial Catch” campaign that includes players sporting pink accessories during games. Though all teams show their support in October, the Dallas Cowboys take their pledge a step further with the iPromise campaign. This campaign encourages fans and supporters to make personal promises to support the cause and also offers pink-laden team gear for purchase.

Ford has been active in its support for breast cancer awareness since 1993, but its Warriors in Pink program is one of the few that donates 100 percent of the net proceeds to the cause. In addition to apparel and accessories for men and women, you can also create a custom T-shirt with a personal message. Naturally, car decals are another way to show your support.

As part of their Cook for the Cure campaign, KitchenAid offers popular products in pink with a portion of proceeds going to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. You can also participate in the Pass the Plate campaign when you purchase and register a Villeroy & Boch plate. Prepare and serve a dish on the plate for a friend who can re-register the plate and pass a prepared dish on to another friend. Each time a plate is registered, $5 is donated to the cause.

In support of Amy Erickson — a former “roastmaster” who lost her battle with breast cancer at just 33 years of age — you can purchase Amy’s Blend products and 10 percent of sales will go to CancerCare. The non-profit organization offers free assistance to individuals, families and caretakers affected by cancer.